Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, March 4-10, 2002
Article taken from "NFLPA doesn't think Elway or agent violated rules in secret Broncos bargain"

San Diego Chargers veteran Pro Bowl defensive back Ryan McNeil has formed the Professional Business and Financial Network, an association to help professional athletes establish businesses and careers after their playing days are over.

"It is basically a membership-based organization for professional athletes, both current and former, in all sports and for both genders," McNeil said. The organization will be funded by member dues, the amount of which has not yet been established, and sponsorships, he said.

The organization's first Business Development Conference, planned as an annual event, is set for May 5-7 in Dallas. Speakers will include NFL greats Roger Staubach and Franco Harris, both successful businessmen and entrepreneurs, McNeil said. Subjects to be discussed at the conference include starting your own business and maintaining your business.

McNeil, already the owner or part-owner of a technology computer company, a real estate firm and a business consultancy, said he has been thinking about creating this kind of organization for three years. He envisions a network in which a player who wants to become a restaurant owner; for example, can call a former athlete who has a successful restaurant business.

Athletes who have spent most of their adult lives playing sports usually have not gotten the experience needed to be successful in business, McNeil said. "There is a huge learning curve we have to overcome," he said.

For more information about the organization, go to www.pbfn.org.

Reprinted with permission from Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal